Easy lift produce truck



Jan. 22, 1957 KNIGHT 2,778,516

EASY LIFT PRODUCE TRUCK Filed Oct. ,8, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/GZ F/G/ INVENTOR ROBERT G. KNIGHT A T TOI-PNE Y5 Jan. 22, 1957 R. G. KNIGHT 2,778,516

- EASY LIFT PRODUCE TRUCK I Filed Oct. 8, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i-i w:|||

IIV VE/V 70/? ROBERT 6. KNIGHT By Y A 7' TOR/V5 Y5 Jan. 22, 1957 Filed Oct. 8, 1954 F/G. l0

R. G. KNIGHT 2,778,516

EASY LIFT PRODUCE TRUCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 303 2 66.1ZW/5O75 [llld BYWJIW+WJ ATTORNEYS United States Patent EASY LIFT PRUDUCE TRUCK Robert G. Knight, Fort Myers, Fla.

Application October 8, 1954, Serial No. 461,133

8 Claims. (Cl. 214-384) This invention relates to article handling devices and particularly to hand trucks adapted to carry various sizes of baskets and hampers.

The hand truck of the present invention has general utility but its advantages are more fully appreciated when used in conjunction with produce baskets such as bushel baskets, half-bushel baskets and bean hampers. More specifically, the hand truck is adapted to handle baskets of the type provided with handles and a lid having a cross piece extending under the handles and outwardly therefrom.

In handling baskets of the type set forth, it is desirable that the hand truck be provided with means to turn a stack of filled and covered baskets into position for lifting and also include means readily to lift a stack of closed baskets.

Another problem encountered in handling produce baskets of the type described arises in the fact that a variety of sizes of baskets must be handled. Therefore it is desirable that the hand truck be .adapted or convertible to handle baskets of different sizes and capacities, the change from handling one size to handling another size being accomplished readily.

It is often necessary to convey stacks of empty baskets, the baskets being telescoped, one within the other. If an unsupported stack of telescoped baskets is conveyed for any distance, the weight of the baskets will jam the baskets together into a tight interfitting relationship. The jammed baskets are separated only with difliculty and with an expenditure of considerable time and labor.

Accordingly it is an important object of this invention to provide an improved hand truck of the type set forth and more particularly a hand truck which can be more easily maneuvered into position with respect to the load to be carried, the load being shifted, if necessary, by means of the hand truck.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hand truck of the type set forth provided with a foot operated brake which can be used to aid in controlling the loaded hand truck on inclines.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand truck having means thereon to carry empty baskets in telescoped position in such a manner that the empty baskets will not be jammed into each other.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an adaptor member which can be readily attached to a hand truck so that the hand truck can be used with baskets of different sizes, for example, half bushel baskets.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an adaptor member which can be readily attached to a hand truck so that the hand truck can be used to carry bean hampers. 7

Yet another object of the invention is to provide, on a hand truck of the. type set forth, a pair of auxiliary wheels which enable the hand truck to be more readily maneuvered about the load to be picked up and which "ice permit the hand truck to be stored with safety in an upstanding position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand truck of the type set forth which is sturdy in construction yet is considerably lighter in weight than hand trucks commonly used heretofore.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been utilized to indicate like parts throughout.

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of a hand truck made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the hand truck being shown in engagement with a bushel basket to be lifted;

Figure 2 is a rear view or" the hand truck shown in Figure 1, the basket having been removed;

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section substantially as seen in. the direction of the arrows along the line 33 of Figure l, the basket having been removed;

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial view in vertical section of a part of the brake mechanism substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view in vertical section sub stantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view in horizontal section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 6-6 of Figure 1 showing an adaptor for half bushel baskets in position on the hand truck and showing the brake placed in the braking position;

Figure 7 is a partial view in vertical section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 77 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view in vertical section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 88 of 1 Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a view in horizontal section similar to Figure 6 and showing a bean hamper adaptor in position on the hand truck;

Figure 10 is a view in vertical section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 1010 of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a view in vertical section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 11-11 of Figure 9.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a hand truck generally designated by the numeral 10 and made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. Hand truck 10 includes a pair of side members 12 and 14 which are substantially rectangular in cross section (see Figure 3) and which taper upwardly to provide at the upper ends a pair of rearwardly disposed handles 16 and 18. Side members 12 and 14 may be made of any suitable material, wood being a preferred material and the material illustrated in the drawings.

Interconnecting side members 12 and 14 is a plurality of cross brackets 20, 22, 24, 26 and 23 which are preferably formed of metal and are connected to side members 12 and 14 by a plurality of bolts 30 and 32, respect-ively. Protection for the lowermost ends of side mem bers 12 and 14 is provided by metal sleeves 34 and 36 which surround the lower ends of side members 12 and 14, respectively, and are attached thereto by suitable fasteners 38.

In order that hand truck 11 can be readily moved fnom one point to another, it is provided with a pair of semi-pneumatic tires 44) which are supported by an "axle 42, suitable bearings being provided between tires 3 4d" and axle 42. Axle 42 extends through a sleeve and is supported by a pair of V-shaped brackets 44 and 46 which engage the opposite ends of axle 42. The axle 42 is held in place by lock screws 48 and 50 to mount axle 42 and tires 4!) upon brackets 4'4 and 46. It will be seen that brackets 44 and 46 are mounted on side members 12 and 14 by the same bolts 31? and 32 which hold cross braces 20 and 22 on side members 12 and 14.

In order to bold hand truck 10 in a vertical position and in order to assist in maneuvering of hand truck 16 about the load to be picked up, there is provided a pair of auxili-aiy wheels 52 which are mounted. on side mem bers 12 and 14 adjacent the lower ends thereof and toward the forward edge thereof. Auxiliary Wheels 52 are rotatably receivedwithin recesses in thelower ends of side members 12 and 14 and are carried by axles 54 mounted in side members 12and'14. As is best illustrated in Figure l, the auxiliary wheels 52 hold hand t1uck'10 in a vertical position and also aid in maneuvering hand truck 10 about the load to be picked up. By holding hand truck 10 in a vertical position when not in use, time and effort in picking up hand truck 10 is eliminated, a smaller amount of floor space is required to store a given number of hand trucks, and safety is increased since hand trucks lying on the floor constitute a hazard to workmen walking, near them.

Hand truck 10 has general utility but its advantages are most fully utilized when used in conjunction with a bushel basket of the type illustrated in Figure l and generally designated by the numeral 56. Basket 56 is usually made of wood and tapers upwardly and outwardly to its uppermost rim which confines the upper ends of the slats making up basket 56. Two handles 60 are provided on rim 58, the handles being on opposite ends of a diameter of basket 56. The top of basket 56 is closed by a cover 62 having a cross piece 64 which extends across a diameter of cover 62 and is aflixed thereto. Cross piece 64 extends beyond the edge of cover 62 and is adapted to be engaged'under the handles 69 thereby firmly to secure cover 62 on basket 56.

In carrying a stack of baskets 56 on hand truck it is desirable that the basket be engaged by means of cross piece 64. To this end a substantially semi-cin cular lifting bracket 66 is mounted on hand truck 10, the open side of bracket 66 extending forwardly from hand truck 10. A pair of braces 68 and 70 are formed integral with lifting bracket 66 adjacent the free ends thereof and extend rearwardly and downwardly therefrom for attachment to side members 12and 14. More specifically a plurality of fasteners 72 are provided to connect the lower rear ends of braces 68 and 70 to side members 12 and 14. A bracket 74 (see Figure 3) is affixed to the lower edge of cross brace 22 such as by Welding and extend outwardly substantially perpendicular to cross brace 22. A notch 76 is provided in the center of bracket 74 to accommodate tie wires. The bracket 74 is useful in lifting empty baskets as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

Sometimes the cross piece 64 is not positioned so that it can be readily engaged by lifting bracket 66 and accordingly the entire basket 56 must be rotated. To facilitate rotation of basket 56 by means of hand truck 10 the junction between the lifting bracket 66 and each of the braces 68 and 70 is provided with a forwardly extending shoulder or notch 82 (see Figure 1) which is adapted to engage a side of cross piece 64 which extends outwardly beyond handle 60. By tilting the hand truck 10 rearwardly, as viewed in Figure l, shoulder 82 can be lifted so that it is in engagement with cross piece 64 and in this manner hand truck 10 can be used'to rotate basket 56 to place it in a better position for engagement with lifting bracket 66. When basket 56 is in a good position to be engaged, the lifting bracket 66 of hand truck 10 is moved slightly to the left, tilted forwardly and is then moved forwardly so'that lifting bracket 66 is '4" moved under the outwardly extending ends of cross piece 64. Thebasket and any basket stacked on"top' of it can be lifted by tilting hand truck 10 rearwardly or to the left as viewed in Figure 1.

To control the rolling of hand truck 10 when stopped on an incline during unloading, for example, a brake mechanism has been provided. More specifically a substantially U-shaped brakebar 84 is provided, the shape of brake bar 84 beingbest shown in Figure 6. When a braking action is desired, brake bar 84 is moved to the position illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings so that it engages the tires 40 to stop notation. When it is desired to move hand tluck 10, the brake bar 84 must be moved away from tires 40 and preferably to the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings To this end brake bar 84 is carried on a pair of brackets 86 (see Figures 4 and 5) which are attached to wheel brackets 44 and 46. Each end of brake bar 84 is provided with a square opening to receive the squared portion of a bolt 88 and 90, respectively. Each ofthe bolts 88 and 90 has a rounded threaded portion which extends through the associated bracket 86. A nut 92 (see Fig ures 3 and 6) is received on the threaded end of bolt 8810 provide a bearing for one end of brake bar 84.

In order to hold brake bar 84 in the position shown in Figure l'of the drawings, there is provided a fiat coiled spring 94 having the inner end received in a slot 96 in the rounded end 98-of bolt 90' (see Figure 4'). The outer end 100 of spring 94 bears against wheel bracket 46. In order to hold the above described assembly together a nut 102 and a'lock' nut'104 are threaded upon the threaded rounded portion 98 of bolt 90.

The tension in spring 94 acting-through bolt 90 and particularly the squared portion thereof engaging brake bar 84holds brake bar 84 normally in the position shown in solid lines in'Figure l. A foot bar 106 is provided on brake'bar 84 so that the operator handling hand truck 10 can readily move brake bar 84 down and counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 1 into engagement with tires 40. This'movement of brake bar 84 tends to wind spring 94 increasing the tension therein. When brake bar 84 is pressed against tires 40, rotation of tire 40 iseffectively stopped or braked. When the operator removes his foot from foot bar 106, brake bar 84 is moved by spring 94 to the position shown by full'lines in Figure 1.

It is often desirable and necessary to convey stacks of empty baskets. Empty baskets'are handled and stored with the covers removed, the baskets being telescoped within -eachother to'conserve space. Since the cross'piece 64 on the cover 62 is missing on empty baskets, it is necessary to'engage' the baskets in some other manner whenconveying them on hand truck 10. Tothis'end the outer'ed'ges107 and108 of plate 74 (see Figure 3) extend forwardly beyond lifting bracket 66"and are curved in a part-circular member so that they will conform to the outer surface of basket 56 and fit under the upper rim 58 thereof. It 'will be seen thatplate 74 is sufficient to en'- gage the lowermost basket 56.

In order to prevent packing and jamming of the baskets one within another while they are on hand truck 10, each of the cross braces 24, 26 and 28 is provided with a rectangular extension 110, 112 and 114, respectively, which aresuitably fastened as by welding to the upper edge of the associated cross brace. Referring more specifically to Figure 3' it'will be seen that the crossbrace 24 has a central portion thereof offset rearwardly from side members 12 and 14 due to the bends 116 and 118 adjacent the ends thereof. Extension 110 extends forwardly from the central portion of cross brace 24 to over lie the rear portion of liftingbracket 66.

When carrying a stack of empty baskets, each of the extensions 110, 112 and. 114 fits: beneath an upper rim 58 on a basket thereby. separating the stack of baskets into several sections and limiting the numberof baskets resting on any single lowerbasket.

The hand truck described above can be easily'stored in the upright position as explained heretofore and a plurality of the hand trucks can be conveniently nested weighs considerably less than hand trucks used heretofore. For example, the hand truck of the present invention may weigh as much as 25 to 60 pounds less than standard clamp trucks in use today for the same purposes as the present truck.

By referring to Figure 3 is will be seen that the lifting bracket 66 is sized and shaped to lift a particular size and shape of basket. When it is desired to lift a stack of baskets whose diameter is substantially less than that of bracket 56, for example half-bushel baskets, some change must be made in the structure of hand truck 10. To this end an adaptor member generally designated by the numeral 120 is provided, adaptor member 120 being illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings. The shape of adaptor member 120 is substantially a semicircle having a radius substantially less than the radius of lifting bracket 66. Adaptor member 120 is mounted on and carried by lifting bracket 66 by means of a rear hook 126 and a pair of side hooks 128. Referring to Figure 7 it will be seen that rear hook 126 has an attachment portion 130 welded or otherwise fixedly attached to adaptor member 120 and a rearwardly extending hook portion 132 which extends over lifting bracket 66 and the associated cross brace 22. A rearwardly extending flange 134 underlies lifting bracket 66 and cross brace 22 and holds hook portion 132 in firm engagement with these members. 120 on the hand truck, the forward ends of adaptor memher 126 are tilted upwardly so that the upper edges of lifting bracket 66 and cross brace 22 fit within the hook portion 132 after which the forward ends are lowered moving flange 134 beneath the lower surfaces of lifting bracket 66 and cross brace 22.

The construction of the side hooks 128 is best shown in Figure 8 wherein it is seen that each hook 128 includes a substantially U-shaped attachment portion 138 and a downwardly turned hook portion 140. Attachment portion 136 is connected as by welding to adaptor member 126 and hook portion 140 is adapted to fit over lifting bracket 66.

In the installed position rear hook 126 supports adaptor 120 with the rear edge thereof substantially underlying the rear edge of the lifting bracket 66. In this position the hook 126 lies within the notch 76 in plate 74. The dimension of the hooks 126 and 128 is such that adaptor 120 is disposed below the lifting bracket 66 so that the adaptor can engage beneath the cross piece on a filled half-bushel basket sitting on the floor.

Adaptor member 120 operates in substantially the same manner as lifting bracket 66 to lift and convey a basket by means of the outwardly extending cross piece on the cover. In addition apart-circular plate'142'is secured to adaptor member 120 and aids in lifting empty baskets like plate 74 described above. Plate 142 is pro vided with a notch 144 to accommodate tying wires on the empty baskets. Although a particular size of adaptor member 120 has been illustrated, it is to be understood that other sizes can be provided, preferably a series of graduated sizes being provided for each hand truck 10.

Another type of basket which is desirable to carry and move using the hand truck of the present invention are so-called bean hampers. As is shown in Figure of the drawings, bean hampers are provided with a plurality of bands extending therearound. It is convenient to engage the bean hamper under the band second from the top for purposes of carrying a stack of such bean hampers.

In order to adapt the hand truck to carry such bean hampers there has been provided a hamper converter When putting adaptor generally designated by the numeral 146. Converter 146 is substantially a semi-circle having a radius such that it can receive the diameter of a bean hamper below the second band. Preferably the ends of the converter 146 are turned outwardly as at 148 to facilitate engagement with a stack of hampers. Means is provided for hanging converter 146 on the lifting bracket 66 in the form of a pair of side hooks 150 and a rear hook 152. The construction of side hooks 150 is best seen in Figure 11 wherein it will be seen that each side hook 150 includes a relatively straight attachment portion 154 and a U- shaped hook member 156 interconnected by a bar 158. Attachment portion 154 is suitably connected as by welding to converter 146 and the hook member 156 is adapted to engage over lifting bracket 66.

The construction of the rear hook 152 is shown best in Figure 10 and it is seen that the rear hook includes a straight and generally vertically disposed attachment portion 160 which is suitably connected as by welding to the converter 146. The lower end of attachment portion 160 is bent rearwardly as at 162 and is then reversely bent as at 164 to join a hook member 166. Hook member 166 is adapted to engage over the lifting bracket 66 and cross brace 22. Preferably the attachment portion 160 and the hook 166 are interconnected as by welding at the point 168.

The construction of hooks 150 and 152 is such that the converter 146 is positioned above the lifting bracket 66. With converter 146 so positioned, the upper edge thereof can engage under the appropriate band 170 on a bean hamper 172 which is shown in dot-dash lines. Converter 166 is applied to the hand truck by tilting the forward ends 146 upwardly and positioning the hook member 166 over the lifting bracket 66 and cross brace 22 and thereafter lowering the ends 148 until the side hooks 150 engage the lifting bracket 66. With the converter 146 installed in this manner, it is capable of easily lifting a stack of filled bean hampers.

Although a certain preferred embodiment of the hand truck of this invention has been described for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly the invention is to be flimited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A hand truck for conveying containers having outwardly extending projections formed thereon comprising a pair of side members, cross braces interconnecting said side members, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted upon said side members adjacent the lower ends thereof, and a substantially semi-circular load engaging bracket mounted on said side members and extending forwardly therefrom and adapted to engage the projections on the containers, said bracket having a shoulder formed near each of the forwandly extending'ends thereof and on the lower side thereof and facing forwardly and away from said side members, said shoulders being adapted to engage the projections on the containers to move the containers into convenient lifting position and the upper side of said lifting bracket being adapted to engage beneath the projections on the containers to lift the containers.

2. A hand truck for conveying containers having outwardly extending projections formed thereon and having outstanding rims formed thereon comprising a pair of side members, a plurality of spaced apart cross braces interconnecting said side members, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted upon said side members adjacent the lower ends thereof, a semi-circular support bracket mounted on said side members and having the free ends thereof extending outwardly therefrom, the ends of said support bracket being adapted to engage beneath the projections of the containers, and an extension formed on certain of said cross braces and extending. in. the: same. 'directiomas" saidsupport bracket and: adaptedto. engage undernthe rims of. empty. containers to prevent stacked. empty con tainers from jamming. into each other.

3. A hand truck for conveying.articles.having' anvoutwardly extending projection formed thereon comprising a.

tending outwardly therefromtoengage :sa idt bracket, said adaptor member beingadapted to .engageb'eneaih the projections on" articles to support .and' carry the :articles.

4 A hand truckfor conveyingarticles having .anoutwardly extending projection formed thereon: comprisinga pair of side members, brace means interconnecting said side members, a pair of supporting wheels rotatably mounted on said side members, a substantially semi-circular bracket mounted on said side members with the-free ends thereof extending forwardly and away from .said side members,.and an adaptor memberiincluding. asubstantially semi-circular portion, a side hook attached to saidtportion adjacent eachend thereof and. extending substantially radially and outwardly therefrom to engage said bracket, and a rear hook attached to said portionat substantially themid-point thereof and extending outwardlyandradially therefrom to engage said bracket, said. semi-circularportion being adapted to engage. beneath the projections on articles to support and carry the articles.

5. A hand truck for conveying articles having. an outwardly extending projection formed. thereon comprising apair ofsidemembers, brace means interconnecting said side members, a pair of supporting wheels rotatably mounted on said side members, a substantially semicircular bracket mounted on said side members'wit-h the free ends thereof. extending forwardly and away from said side members, and an adaptor member including a substantially semi-circular portion, a side hook attached to said portion adjacent each end thereof and extending substantially radially upwardly and outwardly therefrom to engage said bracket, and a rear hook attached to. said portion at substantially the mid-point thereof and extending upwardly therefrom to engage saidbrackehisaid adaptor member being;adaptedstoengage beneath the projections on articles to support and carry the articles.

6. A hand truckfor conveying articles having anoutwardly extending projection formed thereon comprising a pair of side members, brace means interconnecting said side members, a pair of supporting wheels rotatably mountedon said side members, a substantially. semicircular bracket mounted on said side. members with the free ends thereof extending .forwardly and away from said side members, and an adaptor member including a substantially semi-.circularrportiom a side. hook attached to. said; portionadjacent :each end;there0f and extending:

substantially;outwardly:.-therefromto engage-.said bracket,

a. rear. hooksattached'rto said. portion. at substantially the '1 midrpoint'zthereo'f and kextendinga outwardly therefrom to engage said "braeket,1.and.an1emptybasket engaging flange attached to thez.mid=point .of said portion and extending toward theendsathereof; saidadaptor member being. adaptedto :engage beneathathe. projections on articles. to.v

said side-:members; Jand anvadaptor member including asubstantially. semi-circularportioma side hook attached tofsaid'iportion adjacentfeach' end. thereof and extending l-substantiallyaoutwardly. and. downwardly therefrornzto engageasaid bracket, and. a-rear. hook attached to said portion at substantiallydhev mid-point thereof and extending outwardly andfdownwardly therefrom to engage I said ibrack'et,z..said ;adaptor member being adapted .to .en-

gage beneath thev projections on .articles to support and carry-.thes'articlesz 8. .A:hand truck- :forconveyingtarticles having an outwardly extendingtprojection formed thereon comprising a -pair 'ofi sidezmembers,braceameans interconnecting. said side members; a pair of supporting wheels rotatably mounted on said: side members, a substantially semicircularbracketimounted onzsaid side members with the free endsthereofextending.forwardly and away from said side' members, and anadaptor member including a substantially semi-circular portion, the free ends of said. portion-being outturned, a side hook attached to said portion adjacent 'each end-thereof andextending substantially outwardly and downwardly. therefrom to engagessaid bracket and.areanhook attached to said portion at substantially themid-point thereof and extending outwardly-and downwardly therefrom to engage said bracket, said adaptor member being adapted to engage beneaththe-projections:on articles to support'and carry the articles.=

Reierences: Cited :in the :file. of this. patent STATES PATENTS 1,142,944 .Dustman June 15, 1915 1,270,024 Evenson June 18, 1918 1,971,952 Townsend Aug. 28, 1934 2,420,940. Eldridge May 20, 1947 2,636,627 Stoker Apr. 28, 1953 2,638,236 Prowinsky-et a1. May 12, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 33 1;004' GreatBritain June 26, 1930 

